2012 Fiat Panda problems
The 2012 Fiat Panda was sold with an engine that we have documented: the 1.2 8v Fire. It has no documented serious faults for the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 7 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as electric power steering assistance faults.
2012 Fiat Panda score: good reliability
Calculated using only 11 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine8.04 faults
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension7.91 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes8.01 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering8.41 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Electrical system7.92 faults
- Headlights and lights7.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior7.32 faults and ITV (technical inspection)
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2011 Fiat Panda
The same engines and the same documented faults as in 2011.
1.2 8v Fire engine in the 2012 Fiat Panda
Names: 1.2 8v 60 CV
- Buy
1.2 8v SMPI 60-65 hp (1999-2009)
60–65 hp
The reliability profile consulted for the Fiat Panda II (38 reviews of the 60 hp version) documents no serious or systemic fault: the most-cited issues are isolated ones (ignition, sensors, oil consumption) and always a minority.[2]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsSensor failures: lambda sensor and crankshaft position sensor (TDC)The 1.2 8v Fire can suffer sensor faults: the lambda sensor (warning light, rough running) and, in the Fiat Punto, the crankshaft position sensor (TDC sensor), linked to misfires. These are minority issues, but they recur across several models with this engine.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationOil consumption or leak, in one case from the rocker cover gasketThe 1.2 8v Fire can start to use or lose oil after a certain mileage; the only case with an identified origin points to the rocker cover gasket. It is the issue that recurs most for this engine, always in a minority of cases and without damaging the block.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionFaulty ignition coil (misfire, engine warning light)The 1.2 8v Fire's ignition coil can fail and switch on the engine warning light, with rough running; there is one documented case replaced at 40,000 km in the Fiat 500. It is one of the issues that recurs most in the sources consulted for this engine, though always in a minority of cases.
- Low severityFrequency: RareTimingTiming belt: preventive replacement, no documented breakage patternThe 1.2 8v Fire has a timing belt, which must be replaced preventively according to the interval set by the manufacturer of the specific car. The reliability sources consulted document no case of premature breakage for this engine: it is scheduled maintenance, not a recurring fault.
Faults outside the engine in the 2012 Fiat Panda
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSteeringElectric power steering assistance faultsAccording to fiches-auto.fr, this is the most characteristic defect of the Fiat Panda II: the assistance motor, the torque sensor or the electronics of the electric steering can fail, especially with a weak battery or damp in the connectors.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemIntermittent damp-related electrical faults: electric windows, headlights and startingFiches-auto.fr describes electric windows with broken cables or worn motors, temperamental headlights and difficulty starting on the Fiat Panda II, put down mainly to damp and poor contacts in the electrical connectors.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionWeakness in the arms and suspension of the Fiat Panda IIThe 2025 TÜV report cited by Autoblog.it points to a structural weakness in the Panda 169's arms and suspension, and Italian mechanics include front suspension among the most frequent repairs on the Panda.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemAlternator faults on the Fiat Panda IITwo Polish sources cite alternator faults among the typical failures of the Panda II: Autobaza.pl blames it on the alternator taking in water from puddles, and Auto Świat mentions alternators that crack or fail.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorStructural corrosion of the sills, underbody and rear crossmember on the Panda IIAuto Świat and CarWiki warn that ageing Panda IIs also rust at the sills, underbody and rear crossmember, and that repairing a badly damaged one often isn't worth it; Autobaza.pl argues the opposite, that the bodywork resists corrosion well.
- High severityFrequency: RareBrakesFaulty brake caliper mounting (official campaign, date not specified)Fiches-auto.fr lists, among the official campaigns for the Fiat Panda II, a check for a problem with the brake caliper mounting on certain cars, without specifying the date, engine or number of cars affected.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorExhaust and underbody corrosion on the Fiat Panda IIFiches-auto.fr reports corrosion cases, mainly of the exhaust silencer, and the 2025 TÜV report cited by Autoblog.it describes it as a persistent problem on older Panda 169s.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Fiat Panda reliable?
The 2012 Fiat Panda was sold with an engine that we have documented: the 1.2 8v Fire. It has no documented serious faults for the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 7 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as electric power steering assistance faults.
Is the 2012 Fiat Panda better than the 2011?
Going by the documented faults, they are the same: the same engines and the same faults affect the 2011 and 2012 cars. Choose on condition, mileage and maintenance history.
What is the best year for the Fiat Panda?
According to our score, the best are 2012, 2011 and 2003 (7.7/10). The year with the worst score is 2004 (7.6/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 Fiat Panda have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: faulty brake caliper mounting (official campaign, date not specified) (brakes, high severity), sensor failures: lambda sensor and crankshaft position sensor (TDC) (1.2 8v Fire, medium severity), electric power steering assistance faults (steering, medium severity), intermittent damp-related electrical faults: electric windows, headlights and starting (electrical system, medium severity) and weakness in the arms and suspension of the Fiat Panda II (suspension, medium severity).
Own a 2012 Fiat Panda? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiat PandaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat Panda (2003-2012)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French